Pattaya Buzzes with Flavour as Tasty Fest 2026 Brings Diverse Eateries Together for Food Lovers From 14–25 August at Terminal 21!

A large-scale HIV screening campaign launched after the emergence of cases at Karachi’s Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital has identified 141 HIV-positive individuals, prompting authorities to intensify investigations and strengthen preventive measures across Sindh. Speaking at a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Regulation and Coordination, Sindh Labour and Human Resources Minister Saeed Ghani said more than 10,500 people were screened in and around Valika Hospital. Of them, 120 tested positive for HIV, including 81 children of registered Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) workers, while the remaining 39 had no affiliation with the institution. Ghani said the provincial government has assumed responsibility for providing treatment to all affected children and is working to ensure they receive the best possible medical care. He added that a panel of leading healthcare experts and hospitals is being formed to oversee the treatment process. As part of precautionary measures, HIV screening was also expanded to Landhi Hospital and surrounding areas. More than 7,500 people were tested, with 21 additional HIV-positive cases confirmed. According to the minister, these individuals had no previous record of treatment at the hospital, suggesting that some infections may have originated from other sources. The minister also revealed that final show-cause notices had been issued to 37 doctors, paramedics and hospital officials following inquiry committee recommendations into the Valika Hospital incident. He warned that anyone found responsible for criminal negligence would face both departmental and legal action. To support affected families, Ghani announced that a Rs2 billion endowment fund has been established under SESSI. The fund will be managed by an independent body to ensure transparency and provide long-term assistance to those impacted by the outbreak.

Senior Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari has clarified her recent remarks after social media pages linked a story she shared during a podcast to actors Saira Yousuf and Shehroz Sabzwari. Bushra Ansari, who remains popular for her acting as well as her personal vlogs, recently discussed an incident involving the marriage of the only son of close friends during a podcast conversation. However, some social media pages allegedly connected the story to Saira Yousuf and Shehroz Sabzwari. In her latest vlog, Bushra Ansari expressed surprise over the way her comments had been presented online. She explained that she had been talking about close friends who are associated with the banking sector and had never said that the people involved in the story were actors. According to the actress, she was discussing a couple whose marriage ended because of differences over living arrangements. She said the wife wanted to establish a separate home, while the husband was unwilling to leave his parents. Bushra Ansari said that some social media pages subsequently used pictures of Saira Yousuf and Shehroz Sabzwari alongside the story, creating the impression that she had been referring to the former couple. The veteran actress strongly rejected the interpretation and criticized what she described as misleading and negative social media reporting. She said that parts of conversations are sometimes taken out of context and presented in a way that creates an entirely different narrative. Bushra Ansari also came to Saira Yousuf’s defense, describing her as a respectable person and saying that she continues to maintain good relations with members of her former in-laws’ family. She further said that Saira shares a loving relationship with her daughter, Zahra, and suggested that the families involved understand their relationships better than outsiders speculating on social media. The actress questioned why she would use the names of people close to her while discussing an unrelated personal story. She emphasized that the people she had mentioned in the podcast were her banker friends and that the story had no connection to Saira Yousuf or Shehroz Sabzwari. Bushra Ansari’s clarification comes amid growing speculation surrounding celebrities on social media, where comments from interviews and podcasts can quickly be reshared without their original context. The actress urged people to avoid believing or spreading claims based on misleading interpretations and reiterated that her original comments were not about Saira Yousuf and Shehroz Sabzwari.

Pakistan’s national hockey team secured an impressive 4-3 victory over South Korea in the third Test match to complete a dominant 3-0 clean sweep in the Pakistan-South Korea Hockey Test Series. The thrilling encounter was played at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad under the supervision of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). The final match of the series showcased Pakistan’s determination and fighting spirit. South Korea started the game aggressively and took an early lead through Kim Hyung Jin in the 10th minute. The visitors maintained their advantage throughout the first half, going into the break with a 1-0 lead. Pakistan responded brilliantly in the second half with an outstanding comeback. Hayat Zakaria leveled the score in the 32nd minute, giving the home side much-needed momentum. However, South Korea quickly regained the lead when Yang Ji Hoon scored in the 33rd minute. The contest remained highly competitive as Pakistan continued to attack. Rana Waheed Ashraf equalized in the 45th minute before Kim Yong Bok restored South Korea’s advantage in the 50th minute. Refusing to give up, Pakistan displayed remarkable resilience as Abdul Rehman scored in the 55th minute to make it 3-3. Just two minutes later, Shahid Hanan netted the winning field goal in the 57th minute, completing an unforgettable comeback and sealing a 4-3 victory. The win marked Pakistan’s third consecutive success against South Korea in the Test series, highlighting the team’s growing confidence and improved performances. The clean sweep is expected to boost the morale of the national squad as it prepares for upcoming international competitions. Federal Ombudsman Naveed Kamran Baloch attended the match as the chief guest and appreciated the exciting contest as well as the commitment shown by both teams. At the closing ceremony, Pakistan Hockey Federation President Mohiuddin Ahmad Wani presented a commemorative shield to the chief guest. Several prominent hockey personalities, including PHF Development Committee Chairman Olympian Hassan Sardar, Selection Committee Chairman Olympian Samiullah Khan, and Pakistan Sports Board Director General Yawar Hussain, were also present at the event. Pakistan’s impressive performance throughout the series reflects the team’s positive progress and offers renewed hope for the revival of the country’s rich hockey tradition. The comprehensive 3-0 series victory serves as an encouraging sign for Pakistan hockey and demonstrates the squad’s ability to compete at a high international level.

LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Lahore has arrested a man accused of impersonating government institutions and senior officials to influence officers and collect money through fraudulent promises. The suspect, identified as Faiz Ali Syed, was arrested on the special directions of NCCIA Punjab Director Muhammad Ali Wasim. Investigators said the suspect allegedly used fake identities and documents to approach officials and private individuals, claiming he could arrange government-related work and facilitate appointments in public departments in exchange for money. According to FIR No. 171/2026, Syed allegedly contacted officers through multiple WhatsApp numbers while presenting himself as a representative of prominent government institutions. Investigators also found that he used a fake green registration plate on a private vehicle to create an impression of official authority. A man dressed in a police uniform was also allegedly kept with him to reinforce the appearance of influence and official status. Three mobile phones were recovered from the suspect. Their preliminary examination reportedly uncovered WhatsApp conversations, official-looking correspondence and evidence of financial transactions linked to the alleged fraud. One of the WhatsApp accounts was reportedly labelled “Apex Court,” while conversations showed the suspect allegedly portraying himself as a member of an important state institution. Investigators also recovered several letters issued in the suspect’s name that contained claims regarding appointments to senior government positions. Further analysis of the mobile devices revealed communications suggesting that money was allegedly collected from individuals on the promise of getting their work done or securing favours through government departments. The NCCIA is investigating the case from several angles, including electronic fraud, forgery, impersonation of government institutions and financial deception. A detailed forensic examination of the recovered phones and other evidence is continuing, with investigators expecting further revelations as the probe progresses.

Chief Justice Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Aalia Neelum has taken a major step to expedite the trials of accused persons who have remained in custody for more than three years, directing that their cases be decided within two months. On the directions of Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, letters have been issued to the Sessions Judges of 28 districts across Punjab, directing them to ensure the speedy disposal of cases involving under-trial prisoners who have been in detention for more than three years. The Sessions Judges have been instructed to place such cases on a fast-track basis and hear them on a priority basis so that decisions are delivered within the stipulated period of two months. The Chief Justice directed that all Sessions Judges in Punjab would be bound to ensure the disposal of these cases within the prescribed timeframe. The district judiciary has also been directed to accelerate proceedings in cases involving long-incarcerated under-trial accused and avoid unnecessary adjournments that could further prolong their detention. The Lahore High Court has also sought implementation reports regarding cases in which accused persons have remained behind bars for more than three years, in order to monitor progress and ensure compliance with the directions. The initiative aims to facilitate the timely provision of justice to prisoners whose trials have remained pending for prolonged periods. The directions are also intended to address unnecessary delays in criminal proceedings and reduce the backlog of long-pending cases. The Chief Justice’s directive underscores the need for the district judiciary to prioritize cases involving under-trial prisoners and ensure that prolonged detention does not continue merely because of delays in the disposal of their trials. The Sessions Courts across Punjab have accordingly been asked to take immediate measures to speed up proceedings and submit reports regarding compliance with the Lahore High Court’s directions.